November 10 marks the start of Living Wage Week (November 10–16), a time when employers and workers come together to celebrate the Living Wage movement. However, it is also a stark reminder of the growing gap between workers’ wages and what’s needed to meet the basic needs of living in our city.
A living wage, calculated by the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN), is the hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community.
According to the most recent living wage rates released by the OLWN, living wage in the Greater Toronto Area is now $27.20 an hour. Even with the provincial minimum wage increasing to $17.60 per hour in October 2025, the OLWN report shows that there is still no place in Ontario where someone working full-time earning minimum wage can afford their basic living expenses.
Shelter costs, which account for 47% of the current living wage calculation, continue to drive the annual increase to living wage and outpace income.
Jesse has been relying on food banks for many years. Despite holding two jobs, he still struggles to afford basic necessities.
Both [jobs] are roughly part time – total hours of work range anywhere from 35-48 hours a week but I still don’t make more than $30,000 in a year … It’s been hard to find a job for the last 15 years; all you get is minimum wage part-time jobs especially when your education is limited. I don’t earn a living wage.
In addition to insufficient wages, the work remains precarious with limited benefits and little security.
At the local convenience store, they had me work overnights but there is no extra premium for working in the night, no safety boots, no vacation time, no benefits. In my other job, dental and medical coverage has been lowered to 60%. Staff used to get meals, but they got rid of that.
On top of juggling multiple jobs, Jesse tries to earn a few extra dollars on the side — but even that isn’t helping. Half of Jesse’s income goes toward rent — $1,075 a month for a small bachelor apartment in Toronto. He has fallen behind on rent and had to apply for a rent subsidy to remain housed.
Jesse’s story is not unique. Despite working multiple jobs, the combination of lack of insufficient wages, job precarity, and unaffordable housing is forcing many people to turn to food banks just to get by. The Who’s Hungry 2025 report makes this reality clear. Nearly half (46%) of survey respondents reported that at least one member of their household was employed, and more than one-third (35%) of those households held multiple jobs. Precarious work is also on the rise — over half (56%) of respondents were engaged in non-standard work arrangements such as temporary or casual roles with limited benefits.
Employment should be a pathway out of poverty — not a trap that keeps people struggling.
This Living Wage Week, let’s stand with workers like Jesse and demand better: jobs that pay a living wage, housing that’s affordable, and income supports that uphold dignity. Because no one should have to line up at a food bank to eat.
Take action by sending a letter to your elected officials demanding bold action to end hunger and poverty in our city.
Daily Bread Food is a proud Living Wage employer!
